Display stand



March 4, 1958 c. 1%. PO'ILTS ETAL 2,825,519

DISPLAY STAND Filed Sept. 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS C. ROWAN POTTS 1 CJ-IARLES D. WELSHENBACH ATTORNEYS FIG. 8

March 4, 1958 c. R. PoTTs ErAL 2,825,519

' DISPLAY STAND 7 Filed Sept. is, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. l4

c ROWAN Po'fq' FIG. I5

QI 'IARLES D. WELSHENBACH.

ATTORNEYS March 4, 1958 Filed Sept. 15, 1955 c. R. POTTS ETAL 2,825,519

DISPLAY STAND 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. I? FIG. l8 l 25,2 's

' mmvrons' a c. ROWAN POTTS 25,26 g- IARLES'D. WELSHENBACH J ATTORNEYS United States Patent DISPLAY STAND Claude Rowan Potts and Charles D. Welshenhaeh, Sandusky, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 15, 1955,'SerialNo. 534,495

2 Claims. (Cl. 248174) This invention relates to paperboard display stands or similar structures of paperboard or like material. which can be collapsed into a relatively flat compact condition for shipment prior to use and for storage when not in use. In particular, the invention relates to paperboard structures of the general type mentioned where one part, usually the top, extends laterally beyond another part, usually the base, in order to provide an attractive and useful stepped construction giving the effect, for ex ample, of a relatively wide display case with a narrower supporting pedestal.

Paperboard structures of this general type have been provided in the past, one example being found in U. 8; Patent 2,066,844 to Lynch. However, such structures have been relatively unwieldly to set up, since-it has been necessary to expand the structure and then continue to manually restrain the natural collapsing tendency of the structure during the infolding or insertion of lock-' ing overflaps.

We have provided a structure of the type described which is locked in expanded position by the very act of expansion and which therefore exhibits no tendency to collapse during the infolding or insertion of such supplemental locking overflaps and such other elements as it may be desirable to provide.

Another advantage of our structure is that any tendency of the top and base, when collapsed, to move slightly toward and away from each other in telescoping relation is eliminated, thereby providing a firmer collapsed package which is less subject to the flexing and chafing and consequent loss of body and stiffness which similar structures of the prior art have experienced, particularly under impact loads incident to shipping and handling. Our structure is also stronger and more rigid whenerectedthan those of the prior art.

We achieve the above objects and advantages by providing connections between the top and bottom assemblies of the structure, which connections embody what might be termed a toggling feature which resists changes in the folded relation of the connecting'elements in both the expanded and collapsed conditions of the structure.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention and its mode of operation will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of illustration-and Figures 2-5 are side views of the structure shown-"in Figure l at succeeding stages of expansion.

Figure 6 is a sketch in perspective of the structure in the condition shown in Figure 5, certain elements being, omitted for clarity.

Figure 7 is a sketch in perspective showing a later stage in; the'complete assembly of the particular embodiment illustrated.

Figure 81is a sketch in perspective showing the'final and complete assembly of the particular embodiment illustrated.

Figures 9-12 are layouts of the several blanks which the illustrated embodiment may comprise.

Figures 13-46 are views on an enlarged scale and in cross-section, taken on lines 1313 in Figure 2, 14-14 in Figure 3, 1515 in Figure 4, and 16-16 in Figure 5, respectively.

Figure 17 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of the upperportion of Figure 2.

Figure 18 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of the lower portion of Figure 2.-

The particular embodiment illustrated, in its fullest elaboration, may includeone tubular element or pedestal generally indicated at 20, another tubular element or top. generally indicated at 21, a bottom pad generally indicated at 22 and a tray pad generally indicated at 23 (see Figures 9-12, respectively).

Thetube may comprise plain side walls or panels 25 and intermediately scored or foldable side walls or panels 26, the side walls or panels 25, 26 being separated byjfold lines 27. A tab 28 is appropriately glued or fastened to the opposite free end of the panel assembly to .form a tube. The cuts 29 and fold lines 30 define plain tabs 31 and intermediately scored or foldable tabs32. The tabs 3i and 32 have, respectively, intermediate tab portions or panels 34 and 35 defined between' the fold. lines 30 and fold lines 36 and outer tab panels 37' and 38. Suitable tabs 39 may be pro! vided at the opposite'end of the tubular assembly 20.

The tabs32 are intermediately cut and severed by the cuts 40 andaligned therewith are intermediate folds or scores 41 in the panels 26, which preferably have the form of non-severing cuts extending from the inside of the tube to the outer liner of the paperboard stock with out severing such outer liner.

The tube 2l'may comprise plain side walls or panels 45' and intermediately scored or foldable side walls or panels 46, the side walls or panels 45, 46 being separatedvby fold lines 47. A tab 43 is appropriately glued or fastened to the opposite free end of the panel assembly to 'form a tube. The notches or cuts 49 and fold lines 50, 51 define plain tabs 52 and intermediately scored or foldable'tabs 53. The tabs 52 and 53 have intermediate tab' portions or'panels 54 defined between the fold lines 51 and fold lines 55 and outer tab panels 56. v

The side walls or panels 46 are provided with intermediate folds or scores 57 which preferably have the form of non-severing cuts extending from the inside of the tube to the outer liner of the paperboard stock Without'severing such outer liner. The folds or scores 57 extend intermediately along the tabs 53.

The bottom or pad 22 may be provided with a central hole and with suitable tabs 58. The traypad 23 may also be provided with a central hole.

Inthe particular embodiment illustrated, the tabs 32 each comprise pairs of tabs due to the intermediate severance at 40. However, it will be understood that each line 40 may less preferably be merely a fold line or score line, in which case the tabs 32 are each divided'not' into separate tabs but into two co-joined portions.

The outer tab panels 37 and 38 are glued or fastened lie on or at the adjacent ends of the tubesZG and 21 with the intermediate tab panels 34 and 35 extending therebetween.

When-the individual members of the tab pairs:or tab: portions comprising each of the tabs 32 are foldedat;

other than very shallow angles to each other around C Patented Mar. 4, 1958- from accommodation 'of' the flaps 31 to; foldin unfolding' around the lines -30Qa'nd- 36 is positively ov'er 7' and tray pads 22-and 23'.

in Figure l to that shown in Figure 2: Tho -tabs 39 niay;

thertrayr V t -When the illustrated-embodiment is to be collapsed- When theestructure is collapsed as shown in Figures 2, 17

' and 18, a sharp angular disp'osition of these parts obtains,

aur tendency seine tubes 20 a' nd 21 to teleshopef'or move longitudinally w'itli respectlto' e'aehfothei' "rising be still further collapsedas shownflinFi'gure -1. This is the way it is preferably packed together with the bottom When the structure is to be removed from a shipping carton and set up, it is, 'u'nfoldefd vfrom tlie p'o'siti oii shown then be tucked underand the T structure {expanded as shown in Figures 3-5. From within thll be -21 pres,-

sure my; be' exerted manually outwardly at the cuts or.

i f 'foldsi.:40=fto1..quickly, expand-the assembly] Slight resistance isencountered due, in most part, to the deforma-,;

of the tabs:32 around the. fold lines and376; Strain Q .on the twisting, tab panels 35. is thus relieved, and the. structure snapsor toggles out. to fully expanded posi-' tion where it stays because the then-established sharp folds at .30 and 36 'lock the tabs 32 againstfolding around the lines 49. 'Accordingly,.the' structu'rej main V .ih elii1eS 40-, the ia sz are .locked by su ch time disposition against folding around'the lines 30 or "36.

iiiv'mioh. so long as" the four wallshineach tubelwere Q V 'rectilinearly disposed to each other at adj acent ends'iof the two tubes in expanded position.

the tabs 31 and 32 integral' withthe tube-21 rathertha'n the tube '20, or to form thef;ta;b s;3 1;and 32js'eparately and adhere .or fastenjthem to each of the tubes 20 and; g

21. N These and fo'ther lss '-.-rea dily apparent possible" modifications and amput ons will makeit 'apparentthat the above'disclosure of onepresently preferred "specific embodiment of the invention is made merelyby'way'jof mp e:.; Wi l n1.th 1imitationso e -t atfar inherent in the subjectmatter, thescope of the invention f is defined inithe following olaimsz What is claimed is: r

1. In'ra collapsible paperboard structure, references 7' j to shape being had with respect tderected conformation,;

' said first tube'comprising cross-sections of four of said P first walls, which cross-sectionsare rectilinearly disposed togeach' other, aplu'r'ality; of secondtwalls foldable-Jela-f tively to each other and defining a collapsible second tube;

. the cross-section of saidjsecond tube comprising. cross sections-of'fo'ur of said second;walls, which' cross-sec V tionsare rectilinear-1y disposed-"to each other, "said-first; t

and second tubes having adjacent ends, the cross-sectional area of the adjacentend of one of saidtubesbeing sub stantially greaterthan the cross-sectional area-oflthejad-i jacentend of 'the other of. said tubes, one opposite pair,

tains itself in apositivermanne'r in expanded,'.ierected position'with notendency to collapse or fold.

The tabs 52-and 53 providegfurther'reinforcement when thatIis desired. Thus, initheparticularembodiment illustrated, the erection of the structure may be 7 further carriedon from'the stage shown in Figur'esSand ig Ie fithe, foremost tabs" 52;and 5 3t are omitted. a for clarity) by infolding-the tabs as shown .in Figure-7 andthen inserting the tray ,pad23 as shown in Figure ,8. At this time the bottomvpad'22 may also beinserted in the bottom of the tube 20. The, central holes .in'thev pads 22 and 23 may receive apole 24onwhich a display card or other structure may bethung or mounted 'above.

or stored, the pole 24 and 'pads 22 an'd23 are removed.

comprising the tubes 20 and 21 is collapsed by exerting manual pressureinvvardly at the cuts or folds 40., This: causes each half of each side wall or panel'46 to twistingly deform to accommodate unfolding of'th'e tabs 31 panels 35 on the one hand, and the panels 35 and38,

on the other hand, become shallow, folding along lines and 41 is suddenly accommodated, andj the'stru'cture snaps or toggles into partially collapsed position. Inward manual pressure on the-panels :25 then. completes collapse." The structure may then be further .folded as shown in Figure '1, if desired.

It will be apparent that important aspects of the'teaching of the invention may. be embodied in'structures which 1 do not employ elements equivalent to the-pads 22 and 'The tabs 52 and 53 are outfolded. The erect structure 2s orthetabs s2 and 53. sun other-departures may V 'be made from the precisedetails of thedisclo'sed embodimentof the invention. For example, the tube elements'20. and 21 mighthavegreater numbers of side walls to provide, for instance, octagonal tubes, and four of the walls on each tube could still be co-attached with 7 two of them being inwardly collapsible asthe.

a plurality of first walls foldable relatively to each other and defining a collapsible first tube,'the cross-section of of :Fsaid Jfir'st four walls'andpne' opposite pai'r of -saidj i second four wall's having intermediate score lines,-;tabif means extending flfrom eachfofjsaid first fou'r walls in goverl'appingrelation to each-of said second. fourwallsg each of said tab-means'having a'first fold IineadjacenE. I s'aictiadjacentfend offsaid first tube '-'anda.second fold j line adjacent said adjacent endf'of said secondtubefsaid:' first and second fold lines' defining therebe'tweenjin tere' mediate tabipanels; the tab, means 'associat'edfwith. said one opposite pairof first told lines eachincludingfapair.v: 'of'tabs extending from each of said opposite first zwalls-r *1 on oppositesidesof its intermediate .scoreiline, reach of said'pairtoftabs bcing lockedagainst' folding with re 'spectto the otherl when such of tabs, taken-tbgethenf isfoldedito a'subs'ta'n'tial' degreejon thoseof said-first-and a second fold'lines associatedtherewith, thereby preventing collapseofsaidtubesiand conversely, eachsaid of tabs; when folded to a substantial degree with respect to each other, locking such pair of 'tabs, taken together; 7 against foldingon said first and second fold lines, there-i by preventing indeterminant telescoping' -of-' said, tubes when collapsed," and means securing said tab means ;to

saidwallswithwhichthey are associated.

' 2. In a collapsible paperboard structure, referencesito shape being had with respectto, erected conformation,

' aplurality of :first walls foldable relatively to each othen V I and defining a collapsible first tube,'ithe cross-section'of; '5

said first tube comprising cross-sections of four (lfflsflidfirst walls, which cross-sections are rectilinearly disposed to each other, aplurality of second walls foldable relatively to each other and defining a collapsible second tube,..the, cross-section o f. said second tube comprising cross-sections of four of said .secondwalls; which cross-i sectionsare rectilinearly disposed to'each. other, said first I and secondtube's-having adjacent ends, the cross-sectional I area of the adjacent'end'of one of said tubes being sub-ii;

stantiallygreater'than-ithe cross-sectional'area of theiad jacent end ot-theQother of said tubes, one oppositepair. of said firstfour walls and one oppositexpairof said second 'four'walls Shaving intermediate :score lines, .tab means extending from each of said first fpur'wallsin overlapping relation to each o'f, said second four. walls,

5 said adjacent end of said first tube and a second fold line adjacent said adjacent end of said second tube, said first and second fold lines defining therebetween intermediate tab panels, the tab means associated with said one opposite pair of first fold lines each including an intermediate score line extending from the intermediate score line of the associated first wall to the intermediate score line of the associated second wall and therefore extending transversely across said first and second fold lines associated therewith to define a pair of portions of said intermediate tab panel associated therewith, which portions are locked against folding with respect to each other, thereby preventing collapse of said tubes when the associated intermediate tab panel as a whole is folded to a substantial degree on said first and second fold lines and which portions, conversely, when folded to a sub- References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,063,393 McIver Dec. 8, 1936 2,066,844 Lynch Jan. 5, 1937 2,134,130 Hughes Oct. 25, 1938 2,179,830 Pfundstein et a1 Nov. 14, 1939 2,663,104 Hoagland Dec. 22, 1953 2,745,617 Paige May 15, 1956 

